Wythenshawe pupils promote Green City agenda

Published by karend for Willowpark Housing Trust in Communities

Pupils from Newall Green High School, have launched their campaign to promote the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle message to the local community with a special event at Benchill Community Centre

A group of 11 pupils have been taking part in the Businesses Working with Wythenshawe Group (BW3) High Flyer initiative working with local companies, Manchester City Council and Viridor Waste Management to encourage people to be more aware of the 3Rs message and support Manchesters aim to become the UKs greenest city.

Pupils sowed the seed of environmental responsibility with children from Benchill Primary School in a fun activity morning and presented their thoughts to business partners at a Dragons Den style luncheon.

The pupils campaign comes at a timely moment following the recent public consultation undertaken by the City Council and aims to make the Garden City of Wythenshawe the greenest part of Manchester.

Wendy Sinfield, Manchester Airport Community Relations Manager and BW3 Chair, said, BW3 businesses have really enjoyed working with the pupils. The High Flyer initiative is key to BW3s aims in supporting the regeneration of the local area and working productively with local schools. We hope, by using the expertise of all the businesses in our group, to support the community in a range of important issues and that we will continue to make a difference in Wythenshawe.

Sheridan Hilton, Waste Prevention Manager at Viridor Waste Management said, Viridor strongly believes in waste education and is keen to support education enterprise projects such as this to help raise awareness in the local community. This project has been a great way to bring the topic of waste and recycling to the future generation and enabled the students to raise awareness in their local community and make an informed decision about sustainable living."

Councillor Richard Cowell, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for the Environment, commented: "This excellent initiative highlights the talents of Wythenshawe's young people and how they are playing an active role in engaging in Manchester's aim to become the UK's Greenest City. I would like to thank all those involved in this event. Re - cycling is a top priority for Manchester City Council and, as we have learnt from our recycling consultation which received more than 22,000 responses, it is also a major priority of the people of Manchester."

Neil Wilson, Headteacher at the school said, Our pupils have thoroughly enjoyed this programme, working with businesses on an issue that affects us all has been extremely motivating, and by investing in our young people in such a way I am convinced we are laying a strong foundation for educational and environmental progress.